Fort Myers, FL to Tampa, FL bus

Bus from Fort Myers to Tampa

The pristine Tampa Bay beaches and theme parks like Busch Gardens are what makes Tampa popular among tourists. Travelers often ask how far is Fort Myers from Tampa and how long the journey takes by bus before booking the bus ticket. The journey from Fort Myers to Tampa takes about 2h 20min by bus and is about 99 miles (159 km). At least one bus departs for Tampa from Fort Myers every day. Download the Omio app to see the buses available from Fort Myers to Tampa.

Fort Myers to Tampa bus time: Daily departures

There’s at least one daily departure from Fort Myers to Tampa. You will find at least one to three buses during weekdays and only two buses on weekends. There are late morning and late evening departures, with the first departure at around 7:15 a.m. and the last at around 9:25 p.m. If only one departure is available, it will be a late morning bus. All buses to Tampa from Fort Myers are direct buses.

How long is the journey by bus from Fort Myers to Tampa?

The bus journey from Fort Myers to Tampa can be as short as 2h 20min to as long as 3h 40min. The duration depends on factors like your departure and arrival stations and the bus provider you choose. RedCoach offers faster bus journeys to Tampa from Fort Myers compared to other companies like Greyhound. All buses to Tampa from Fort Myers offer direct journeys, saving you time on your trip.

What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Fort Myers to Tampa?

Departure bus station: Two departure bus stations are available in Fort Myers; Florida Gulf Coast University Cohen Center and Rosa Parks Transit Center. The city center is about 12 miles (19.3 km) from Florida Gulf Coast University Cohen Center. Rosa Parks Transit Center is a walking distance from downtown Fort Myers as it is less than a mile away. Both stations have amenities like Wi-Fi, restrooms, and waiting benches.

Arrival bus station: USF Holly Drive and E Polk St, Tampa, are the receiving stations for buses from Fort Myers. You can take either the bus or a taxi from E Polk St to Tampa’s city center, less than a mile away. This journey takes less than five minutes. USF Holly Drive is about 12 miles (19.3 km) from the city center. You can take a taxi or bus to get to the city center from the station. You’ll find waiting benches, clean restrooms, and ticket offices at the bust station. The station is wheelchair accessible, including restrooms.

Tampa Bridge Lights. Source: Shutterstock

Which bus companies travel from Fort Myers to Tampa?

Two bus companies operate the Fort Myers to Tampa route, Greyhound and RedCoach. They both offer direct bus journeys to Tampa from Fort Myers. However, the journey duration with RedCoach is shorter, about 2h 20min, compared to that by Greyhound, which takes around 3h 40min.

However, Greyhound’s bus tickets to Tampa from Fort Myers are cheaper than tickets from RedCoach. Both companies only have one daily departure, bringing the total number of daily departures to two. The companies each have different departing and arrival stations. Greyhound has its departure station as Rosa Parks Transit Center, while Florida Gulf Coast University Cohen Center is the departing station for RedCoach. USF Holly Drive is the arrival station for RedCoach, while E Polk St is the arrival station for Greyhound.

Greyhound buses from Fort Myers to Tampa

Greyhound provides direct bus journeys to Tampa from Fort Myers. The company has at least one daily departure from its station in Fort Myers. All buses operated by Greyhound are direct buses with a travel time of 3h 40min. Greyhound also offers cheap bus tickets to Tampa from Fort Myers compared to other bus providers operating this route. Only standard seats are available in Greyhound buses. The buses have onboard services like Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and reclining seats to make your journey relaxing and entertaining.

RedCoach buses from Fort Myers to Tampa

RedCoach provides direct bus journeys from Fort Myers to Tampa. There is one daily RedCoach bus departing from Fort Myers to Tampa. Buses operated by RedCoach are high-speed buses, which shorten your travel time to about 2h 20min. However, you will have to pay a little extra for these buses. RedCoach only provides you with business class seats for this route. It also provides you with onboard amenities like air conditioning, clean restrooms, power outlets, and reclining seats.

Fort Myers to Tampa Bus: Services onboard

Greyhound has only standard tickets for this journey. These standard seats are large seats with a reclining function and extra legroom for a comfortable journey. You will also have an individual power outlet to charge your electronic devices during your trip. No pets are allowed on board except for certified service animals.

Customers with disabilities are also welcome on board, but you must inform the company about the disability when booking your ticket. Wheelchair lifts are present to help you get on board, and you can choose to sit on the reserved disability seats, or some seats can be removed if you wish to sit on your wheelchair. RedCoach offers only business class seats, which are wide and comfortable. The seats have a recline function and a power outlet next to them. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi are available to make your journey comfortable and entertaining. The company allows you to bring one free carry-on and two checked bags on your trip. Only service animals are welcome on board. You should inform the company in advance of any special assistance you will need on your trip.

Tampa Museum City. Source: Shutterstock

How to find cheap bus tickets from Fort Myers to Tampa

Download the Omio app, which helps you find cheap bus tickets for this route. Omio not only allows you to compare ticket prices from different bus operators, but it also gives you more information about your journey in our Window Seat magazine. You can also save money by booking your bus tickets before your travel date. Bus tickets tend to spike towards the actual travel date.

Another way of saving money is to have flexible traveling dates. Avoid having a fixed date as prices fluctuate and can be cheaper on other days besides your planned traveling date. Lastly, book slower buses as they are cheaper than high-speed buses.

To Tampa by bus-travel tips

Tampa is along Florida's gulf coast, making it a perfect destination for a beach vacation. There are several stunning beaches along Tampa Bay, and this is where you will appreciate the most beautiful beaches in the United States.

Other than its beaches, Tampa also boasts several cultural offerings, museums, and theme parks. A visit to Tampa is not complete until you have visited the Florida Aquarium, where you can interact with marine life. Tampa’s proximity to a water body also gives it an abundant supply of oysters, blue crabs, and shrimp.

Explore these seafood cuisines at the many waterfront restaurants within Tampa. You can also enjoy looking at wildlife, and thrilling roller coaster rides at Busch Gardens.

If you’re looking to play with other adults, the Tampa nightlife is electric. Tampa has multiple clubs offering karaoke and themed parties, the perfect recipe for a night to remember.